US Capture of Maduro 2026: China Condemns 'Illegal' Raid at UN

The world's police is back with a vengeance. In a move that's sent shockwaves across the globe, US special forces seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife in an audacious midnight raid on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Now held in New York to face drug and weapons charges, the capture has triggered a diplomatic firestorm at the UN Security Council.

US Capture of Maduro 2026: China’s Furious Response

According to the South China Morning Post, China delivered a blistering rebuke to Washington during an emergency meeting on Monday. Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, stated that Beijing is "deeply shocked" by what he termed unilateral and bullying acts. China's demand is clear: release the couple immediately. Sun Lei argued that the US had "trampled upon Venezuela’s sovereignty" and disregarded the fundamental principles of international equality.

Law Enforcement or Global Overreach?

Washington isn't backing down. US representative Mike Waltz countered that the action was a standard law enforcement matter, not a diplomatic one. He maintained that Maduro wasn't a legitimate head of state and that his criminal activities have long been recognized. Adding a layer of complexity, President Trump has reportedly pledged to keep Venezuelan oil flowing to China, appearing to balance hardline enforcement with global energy stability.